XP won't boot or repair!

[Bob]

My wife's computer gives the message (on the dreaded blue screen):

STOP:c0000218{Registry file failure} The registry cannot load the hive
(file): \Systemroot\Systemroot32\config\SECURITY or its log or alternate.
It is corrupt, absent, or not writable.

I have tried to use the repair option on an XP reinstall using the Dell disk
but I get the message:

Attempt to repair: Setup cannot create the folder: \WINDOWS\system
32\drivers\disdn

The only other alternative seems to be a complete reinstall of XP but that
tells me that I will lose all her files, applications, settings, etc.!

Help! What to do?

 

[Rich Barry]

Bob, if you are so inclined you can connect the hard drive from your
wifes computer to yours. Then go to C:\Windows\Repair Folder in your wife's
hard drive. Copy the Security File and go to C:\Windows\System32\Config
Folder
and paste the file. You will get a message about replacing the files.
Click Yes or Ok. That may get your wife's system
running again. If not, try copying and pasting System, Software, Sam and
Default. They along with Security make up the
five registry hives.

 

[Guest]

when going through the reinstall XP should offer you a choice to save the
existing files. in other words see if you have the option of reinstalling xp
back on top of itself, rather then doing a reformat and then a new
installation from scratch. 98 offered this option.

 

[Ron Martell]

My wife's computer gives the message (on the dreaded blue screen):

STOP:c0000218{Registry file failure} The registry cannot load the hive
(file): \Systemroot\Systemroot32\config\SECURITY or its log or alternate.
It is corrupt, absent, or not writable.

I have tried to use the repair option on an XP reinstall using the Dell disk
but I get the message:

Attempt to repair: Setup cannot create the folder: \WINDOWS\system
32\drivers\disdn

The only other alternative seems to be a complete reinstall of XP but that
tells me that I will lose all her files, applications, settings, etc.!

Help! What to do?

The problem is with the registry files.

See the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from
starting
Article ID : 307545
http://support.microsoft.com?kbid=307545


Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

In memory of a dear friend Alex Nichol MVP
http://aumha.org/alex.htm